CMOS image sensor makes it to the silver screen

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Dec 20, 2007

Custom CMOS image sensor is used in digital motion picture camera and film scanner.

The Oscar custom CMOS image sensor from Cypress Semiconductor has been incorporated in the Arriflex D-20 digital motion picture camera and Arriscan film scanner from Arri.

The 6Mpixel sensor is the same size as a Super 35mm film aperture, enabling the D-20 camera to use the same prime, zoom and speciality lenses as 35mm film cameras while shooting in high definition (HD).

The resulting digital image has the same depth of field as 35mm film, allowing film makers to direct a viewer's attention to a specific part of an image, a feature that is a highly valued creative storytelling tool.

The Oscar CMOS image sensor gives the D-20 camera the ability to read out high frame rates despite a high active pixel-count of 2880 x 2160 pixel, as well as the ability to run speed ramps.

Additionally, the Oscar sensor delivers excellent colour fidelity and high dynamic range for crystal-clear HD footage.

In the Arriscan device, the sensor delivers high-speed scanning to reduce the costs per frames for digital laboratories and postproduction houses.

The Arriscan has been used in movies such as "King Kong" and "Die Hard IV", and the D-20 was used for shooting TV productions and features such as "Hogfather", "Tin Man" and "Baker Street".

"The D-20 camera opens up tremendous creative options to directors and cinematographers by combining the aesthetic quality of a 35mm film image with the immediacy of shooting video in HD", says Robert Kandleinsberger, Head of R and D at Arri.

"Cypress worked with us to develop a custom CMOS image sensor to meet the exact specifications required for the camera's unmatched feature set".

"We are always excited to work with visionary customers such as Arri who push our custom CMOS image sensors to new heights in performance", says Cliff Drowley, Vice President of Cypress's Image Sensor Business Unit.

"Cypress has carved out a leadership position in custom image sensors by working closely with our customers from design to production to leverage the outstanding dynamic range and high-speed reading capabilities of our technology".